Cravings
I can't get enough of these:

I got these for my birthday:They're honey roasted chipotle peanuts, yeah, perfect mix of sweet and spicy.

I have eaten a whole bag of these:

NOTE: I did find Syd snitching on these one day, so I know I didn't eat the whole 64 oz. Costco bag myself! I did make some cookies with them, but pretty much kept the zip-top open for my convenience! I think I'll stick to buying the 12 oz. packages instead.

Between feedings, I managed to make some doll furnishings for my sister-in-law. This is a doll bed mattress made with real ticking, stuffed with commercial batting, and tacked in 10 places so it won't shift.I also made a little quilt and pillow out of cotton and star minkee with pink rick rack edging. Then, not to waste fabric, I put together another simple blanket.
I think they're cute. I love quick, easy projects. You feel accomplished, but didn't have to put in too much work or worry about perfection (too much). This only took about 1 1/2 hours including cutting, pressing, and sewing time.

I like blogging, I like to read other's blogs. So, just to share a little with you, check out some of my family's and friends' blogs:

Oh, Judy (my older sister)
Light Refreshments Served-Lisa (my older sister too-she has 5 kids, she's an overachiever!)
The Jolly Porter (her husband)
Robert & Shauna Valentine Family (my folks)
Maroon 5 Blog (comprehensive citings/interviews/pics of the band, my brother is James)
Design Mom (their friend, who I once sewed some really bad drapes for-before I was the "Sewing Friend")
C Jane Run (my sister's sister-in-law, she's a wordsmith who just had her 1st baby)
The Despain Gang (my friend w/a cute baby)
Ignore the Crazy (my sister's-and mine-friend Bek, who has a lot of life to share!)


I have other friends who have blogs, but I hesitate to list them because of privacy concerns--but if you want a link to your blog, let me know and I'll add you to the list--cause I'm always checking yours out!

I'll have to list a favorite craft blogs someday--my list is very long and I should make dinner! Check in soon because I've been sewing up a storm for the room-shifting of the children to accommodate the new baby due the end of July!

Generosity on a deck:

Some of my friends threw me a surprise baby shower. I even walked by the balloons tied to a huge box of diapers, thinking it was for something else! I got set-up in two ways. The first is the shock of a baby shower. I hadn't wanted one because it's embarrassing to have a shower for your 4th baby, even if it is your first boy. The second is by all the great gifts I received. I got outfits (onesies, shorts, t-shirts, rompers, gowns), blankets, diapers, burp cloths, shoes, socks, baby wash and lotion. All of it boy-themed and darling.

I thought I was just going to the BBQ planned for the DNA Cycling Team (Jonathan and friends) at the Pogue's house. Apparently, my husband was in on it and had to delete a couple of errantly-sent emails. The BBQ in itself would have been enough. The food was fantastic, the weather ideal, and the kids fully occupied.

Heading down the waterslide. Jonathan getting some boy time. Sloane being tickle-attacked by her father. Sydney (in borrowed swimshirt and shorts) enjoying the bounce house, but got a little cold.It was a great evening. No one wanted to leave. We all stood in the street talking, avoiding collecting our children, and dodging neighbors backing out of their driveways.

So, it's my birthday tomorrow, May 13th. I'm 32 years old now and you really should call me or send a card or buy me some thread.

Me, 4 1/2 months old

Being born in 1976, I am a "bicentennial baby" which must be why I am so involved in politics. I was a Young Republican in high school and have handed out more pamphlets in small Nebraska towns than I care to recall. I've even been mistaken for a candidate while driving a car in a parade--it must have been the professional wave. I attended our local caucus meeting, but only for the cookies! I have only missed voting in one election since I was 18. Still, I'm probably not as knowledgeable as I should be. So, I've taken to listening to talk radio for a little help.

Are you aware of Operation Chaos? It's hugely entertaining. Basically, Rush Limbaugh told his listeners to cross over parties (from Rep. to Demo.) and vote for Hilary Clinton to keep her in the Democrat primary even though Barack Obama has pretty much cinched up the delegate count. It's reeking havoc because Hilary thinks she's getting all these votes and has a chance, and won't drop out. This is amusing because it shows the true nature of national-level politics--pure arrogant self-promotion. (I like to think that most local politicians run to make the community better.) Now, I'm all for self-promotion, I mean, I listen to Rush Limbaugh, but I also believe in knowing your limits.

So, back to me and my birthday. As I've become older, I've realized my limits. Here's what I've discovered:
1) I can't lie well. Don't ask me something you really don't want to know. Right, Lisa?
2) I need sleep. I don't respond well to babies crying in the middle of the night. Yeah, not good for a soon-to-be mother of 4!
3) I'm not a perfectionist. I don't mind if there are crumbs on the floor, stacks of paper on the computer desk, or seams that don't line up completely. I selectively see mess.
4) I'm not as good a friend as you. I don't remember birthdays, to return phone calls, or even all your kids' names and ages. I like to think I do, but most of the time I don't even try.
5) I'm a procrastinator. I should be sewing some pillows for a friend (sorry, Kelly!), sweeping my kitchen floor, or reading to my 4 year old, but instead I'm writing this and reading other blogs.

Wow, that really sounded like a downer. I am a realist/optimist--I can only get better from here--lemons=lemonade.
Please still be my friend, I'm a good person, and hey, you have to be nice to someone on her birthday!

More Girly Skirts

My good friend, Calli, asked me to make some reversible skirts (of her design) for her girls. Simple enough, I thought. Well, a few MONTHS later I completed them. I think I need to take a pattern-making class!

Here is Abby's:

I forgot to take photos of Emmy's, but it's like Sloane's below except different fabric on both sides and a big yellow tie.

Here is a prototype for Sheridan (not reversible):

Here is a prototype for Sloane:
They're cute, but it's too bad my girls don't want to wear them! They want to wear outfits of their own design:


"Fashion Girls"

"Construction Office Secretary"



"Superhero"
Genetics? Altitude? Cooped up in the house all winter?

Fit Issues!

Because I am pregnant and NOT fat, I don't have a lot of pants that fit. In my desperation I made some only-around-the-house lounge pants and matching top. My husband refused to take a picture of me wearing them. The shirt does admittedly look very home-sewn, but the pants are great.


I haven't experimented much with knits, so that's why I took on the project. Here are the patterns I used:

For the top:
For the pants:It really was "very easy."

I added a few inches to the roll waistband to accommodate my growing girth. I also added the band of color to extend the originally ankle-length pants because the thing I hate worse than pants that don't fit are pants that don't fit AND are too short!

The reason for needing lounging clothes:

Easter Dresses

Yes, Easter is long past, but I thought I'd share the dresses I made for the girls.


I used a linen and white seersucker for the big girls' dresses and a printed linen and eyelet for Syd. I then made ties for the big girls out of the printed linen and roses out of the eyelet. I have three girls-we have to coordinate.


I almost made a skirt for myself, but thought that may be going a little too far (although since I have the fabric...)

The patterns used are the following:


This one was sized perfectly for Syd and she loved the built-in apron.


This one was huge (but my girls are small). I used size 3 for Sheridan (who will be 5 soon) and size 4 for Sloane (who will be 7 soon). They loved how "swirly" it was and spun around all day.

NOTE: I circle the size cut out on the package (patterns contain several sizes). If I plan to make 2 dresses out of a pattern, I cut the bigger size first, then the smaller OR buy two patterns (you can get them on sale for $1 or $2 most of the time.)


The dresses got some grass stains later at Grandma's for an Easter egg hunt, but the fabric washed up nicely and no more stains!

I made these in about 2 days of on/off sewing. They were simple-try one!

I made a reversible skirt for Sloane. It's been in the works for literally months (in my head!) I've been working on a pattern for a friend who had the idea (thanks, Calli!), and this is what I came up with: The top and bottom are black and red gingham, respectively and the center has embroidered ladybugs. It's very full and very girly. Now, there are only a few minor adjustments and I'll make some for her girls!

Speaking of girly, here's the girls with their new haircuts. They all loved to sit and be pampered. I really should take them more often than twice a year!

This is her first "professional" haircut. Syd before:
We had to spring up those curls! I should take a picture of the back. Syd after:
Sher before:
So demure. Sher after:
Shot at Princesses on Ice-yes, we're very girly! Sloane before:
You didn't know that I had a twenty year old? Sloane after:
Patti (our stylist) with the girls.Sloane woke up early the next day, dressed before I was out of bed, because she was so excited about her new haircut.

FINE! Back to sewing (read the comment from topher clark on my last entry):

So, now the rush is on to finish unfinished baby quilts. My sister has given birth to her fifth baby (and the last quilt she's getting!) My sister-in-law is due a month before me. And I've got to do something really spectacular for the boy!

At least Margaret's quilt is close to completion. This is the layout for the quilt top.


I chose thirties prints because, well, her name is Margaret, after my maternal grandmother. I wanted something bright and cheery. The nine patch looks a little more sophisticated with the black center squares. The binding will also be black and look sharp (I hope). I'll post pics when done.

I have sewed it together, but have to mark and quilt it still. I think I"ll quilt this one myself by machine. I have handquilted 4 out of the 9 baby quilts I've made, but I just don't have time now. Also, and I hate to admit it, if you want the children to use the quilt, machine quilting holds up much better than hand quilting! There have been times when I've snuggled with my oldest, whose quilt I hand quilted, and I've heard a few stitches "pop" as we've shifted beneath the covers. Ouch!

Some things I've learned from making baby quilts:
1. If you commit to make one for the first baby in your family, plan on keeping up the tradition, even if you siblings KEEP HAVING BABIES!
2. Use quality materials-quilt shop quality fabric won't fade over the years, Walmart and most Joann's fabric will.
3. Use traditional patterns-too trendy will look dated after a few years.
4. Keep it simple-try a complicated pattern for your own kids-you won't want to give it away if you've spend a zillion hours on it!
5. Take a picture with the baby and the quilt-'cause it's cute! Addendum: Try to make it while they're still a baby-2 yrs old and under counts!
6. Make a quilt label. I write the baby's birthday, my name, and the title of the quilt (I name them).

OR, just buy one of those really cute minkie dot blankets with a satin backing and binding because that's all the kid will sleep with anyway, even if you spend a ton of time trying to make a memorable quilt for them (but I'm not bitter!)

Happy Sewing!

The older I get the less I believe in "good luck." I have had "good luck" in my life. I've always been healthy, learning has come easy to me, my family is stable and I had a great childhood, my husband is really THE BEST, and my children have come into this world trouble-free. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

I don't believe in "good luck" anymore because I don't think so many good things could happen to one person out of happenstance. I believe in grace from God.

There is nothing I could have done, consciously or unconsciously, that would warrant my good life. It is solely through a loving Creator that things work out. Now, as I say all of this I have to point out my latest grace:

We're having a boy! (But I'm not going to show you his stuff, just trust me, it's a boy!)


We did all the things you're "supposed" to do to have a boy-want details? give me a call-but I don't think it is ever really up to us. The Good Lord shared this blessing of one of his sons to be part of our family and we couldn't be happier.

He even crosses his feet like his dad does when he's asleep on his stomach!


How do you show gratitude for that?

Acknowledge the Power that allowed it.

Thank you God.

I haven't written because I've been digging my children out of the snow.

We've also been playing at the park across the street. This is the top of a tree.

The baby wasn't too happy about being placed inside the monkey bars, but I figured since I could reach the top easily, she should be placed inside!

My oldest (and most snow-loving daughter) explored the "forest" which was a little more difficult to navigate since the trails are cut about 4 feet below.

Eventually, we got cold, so we came home.

If you come to my house, you have to pass through this to get to the front door. I'm about 5'7" (and we had to knock the snow down a little so the snowblower could make it over the top of the heap!)

We can get mail now, since my mountain man has dug out the

snow around the mailbox.

Sorry, there's no where to sit in the backyard--the lawn furniture is covered!
That doesn't stop my adverturer from exploring. I asked her to check on the playhouse (underneath the snow somewhere!) I also asked her not to climb drifts to jump over the fence, but it's so tempting!

Oh, yeah, it snowed 2 1/2 feet today, and these pictures were taken two days ago.

Come on over (with snow gear and a 4 wheel drive vehicle!) You can cuddle under a quilt I made in December out of old ski pants (purple and teal) and ski socks (up the sides). The backing is fleece (of course!)

I can't rotate this photo for the life of me, so someone please explain how to save it in iPhoto so that when I upload it, it will be turned the right way!!! Most of the time this Mac drives me nutty!

New Year!

I got some great "sewer" stuff for Christmas. I sewed a bunch of stuff in December. I've got some other things planned for the coming month, but I am soooooooo tired I just don't know how I'll get to it.

The reason for my lack of motivation?

I'm pregnant!

Now, I don't "win" the prize because my dear sistah, Oh, Judy! and The Jolly Porter just had their fifth and this is ONLY my fourth baby. (But in the words of judy, "So, what's the prize?") But I'm not in this for competition.

I'm in it because I love to make baby blankets, burp cloths, and little girls clothing (because how can this baby NOT be a girl-that's all we do!)

So, forgive my lack of blogging and let me share my New Year's Resolutions:

1. Have a baby at the end of July.

This is going to be a great year!